This medication is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age due to the high amount of pseudoephedrine.

How to use Claritin-D 12 Hour

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily (every 12 hours) with a full glass of water.

Do not crush or chew this medication. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.

Do not increase your dose or take this more often than directed.

Do not take this medication for several days before allergy testing since test results can be affected. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: fast/irregular heartbeat, uncontrolled shaking or tremor.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: seizures, mental/mood changes (such as confusion), difficulty urinating.

This medication does not usually cause drowsiness when used at recommended doses and under normal circumstances. However, this drug may make you dizzy; therefore use caution engaging in activities that require alertness such as driving or using machinery.

Precautions

Before taking loratadine with pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to desloratadine; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: glaucoma (narrow angle type), severe difficulty urinating (urinary retention), severe high blood pressure, severe heart/blood vessel disease (coronary artery disease), liver disease, experienced serious side effects with decongestants (irregular heart rhythm).

Limit alcoholic beverages, as it may intensify drug side effects. (See also Side Effects.)

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially fast/irregular heartbeat, dizziness, problems urinating, trouble sleeping, or confusion. Dizziness, trouble sleeping, and confusion can increase the risk of falling.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication passes into breast milk and is unlikely to cause harm to a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain additional decongestants that could increase your risk for side effects. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

Loratadine is very similar to desloratadine. Do not use medications containing desloratadine while using loratadine.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including allergy skin testing), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: irregular or unusually slow or fast heartbeat, unusual nervousness or excitement, and seizures.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised March 2014. Copyright(c) 2014 First Databank, Inc.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, expect as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

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